"Hist!--hallo!--hold on, ye catamounts! There's

Injuns ahead!"

The whole band came to a sudden halt at this cry,

and watched eagerly, and for some time in silence, the

motions of a small party of horsemen who were seen in

the far distance, like black specks on the golden sky.

"They come this way, I think," said Major Hope,

after gazing steadfastly at them for some minutes.

Several of the old hands signified their assent to this

suggestion by a grunt, although to unaccustomed eyes